Mauritius reclaims sovereignty over Chagos Islands after more than 50 years of UK control

The United Kingdom has announced it will relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, a remote but strategically significant group of islands in the Indian Ocean, after more than 50 years. The decision marks a pivotal moment in international relations and brings an end to decades of negotiations between the UK and Mauritius.

Under the terms of the deal, the UK will hand over the islands to Mauritius, though the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, home to a key U.S. military base, will remain under U.S.-UK control for an “initial period” of 99 years. Diego Garcia serves as a critical location for U.S. navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft, playing a central role in global and regional security. The arrangement is a key element that enabled the deal to move forward in a region where geopolitical tensions between Western countries, India, and China are on the rise.

A joint statement by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth called the agreement a “seminal moment” in the relationship between the two nations. The leaders emphasized that the deal demonstrates their “enduring commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and the rule of law.” Both parties expressed a desire to finalize the treaty as quickly as possible.

The agreement also aims to address historical injustices, particularly concerning the displacement of the Chagossians, the indigenous people of the islands. More than 1,000 islanders were forcibly removed from the archipelago in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a decision that has sparked decades of legal battles and international condemnation. The UK government has pledged financial support to Mauritius, which will include annual payments and infrastructure investments to aid in the resettlement of displaced Chagossians, though resettlement on Diego Garcia itself will not be permitted.

The U.S. welcomed the deal, with President Joe Biden praising the “historic agreement.” Biden said the accord is a “clear demonstration that diplomacy and partnership can overcome long-standing challenges,” adding that the continued operation of Diego Garcia is crucial for global security.

Despite the high-level support, not everyone is satisfied. Frankie Bontemps, a second-generation Chagossian living in the UK, expressed feelings of betrayal. He criticized the exclusion of Chagossians from the negotiations, saying, “We remain powerless and voiceless in determining our own future and the future of our homeland.” Bontemps and other Chagossian activists have called for their inclusion in drafting the final treaty.

The UK’s decision comes after years of mounting international pressure. The United Nations’ International Court of Justice ruled in 2019 that the UK’s control of the Chagos Islands was illegal, and the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for the islands to be returned to Mauritius. The UK had previously argued that Mauritius had no legitimate claim to the territory, but Brexit has left the country more diplomatically isolated, particularly as African nations and former European allies pushed for decolonization.

The Mauritian government has long maintained that it was forced to give up the Chagos Islands in exchange for its own independence in 1968, accusing the UK of striking a secret deal with the U.S. to lease Diego Garcia for military use. As international sentiment shifted, Mauritius intensified its efforts, launching sophisticated diplomatic campaigns and taking the UK to court. In 2022, Mauritius even sent officials to plant its flag on the islands, an act of defiance that underscored the urgency of resolving the dispute.

While the agreement is widely seen as a diplomatic win for Mauritius, the future of the Chagos Islanders remains uncertain. Some Chagossians hope to return to the islands, while others focus on securing rights in their adopted countries. Meanwhile, the deal has sparked criticism within the UK, with some political figures accusing the government of undermining national security. Tom Tugendhat, a former Conservative Party leadership candidate, called the agreement a “shameful retreat” that leaves British allies vulnerable.

Despite the controversy, the agreement marks a significant moment in Britain’s gradual retreat from its colonial past. As one of the last remnants of the British Empire, the Chagos Islands’ return to Mauritius closes a chapter in the UK’s imperial history.